Shloka 79

The Procedure for Offering Piṇḍa (Funerary Rice-balls) — Gayā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापौ३ घघातनाय विमुक्तये । अनेन स्नानपूजादि कुर्याच्छ्राद्धं सपिंडकम् ॥ ७९ ॥

Transliteration

brahmahatyādipāpau3 ghaghātanāya vimuktaye | anena snānapūjādi kuryācchrāddhaṃ sapiṃḍakam || 79 ||

Translation

Afin de détruire l’amas des péchés, à commencer par le brahmahatyā (le meurtre d’un brāhmaṇa), et d’obtenir la délivrance, qu’on accomplisse par ce rite le bain sacré, l’adoration et autres observances, et qu’on fasse aussi le śrāddha avec les rites de sapiṇḍīkaraṇa.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-आदि-पाप-उघ-घातनाय: for the destruction of the flood of sins such as brahmahatyā
• ब्रह्महत्या-आदि-पाप-उघ-घातनाय: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या + आदि + पाप + ओघ + घातन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास (ब्रह्महत्या-आदि- पाप-ओघस्य घातनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान-भावः

• विमुक्तये: for liberation
• विमुक्तये: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थ

• अनेन: by/with this
• अनेन: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• स्नान-पूजा-आदि: bathing, worship, etc.
• स्नान-पूजा-आदि: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान + पूजा + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (स्नानं पूजा च इत्यादि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘etc.’-समुच्चय

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: क्रिया (Kriyā/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• श्राद्धम्: śrāddha rite
• श्राद्धम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• सपिण्डकम्: with piṇḍa offerings
• सपिण्डकम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + पिण्डक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समास (पिण्डकसहितम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; श्राद्धम् इति विशेषण

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It teaches that a prescribed tirtha/rite-based regimen—ritual bathing, worship, and properly performed śrāddha—functions as a prāyaścitta (expiation) capable of destroying even heavy accumulations of sin and supporting the seeker’s liberation-oriented purification.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti is implied through pūjā (devotional worship) performed alongside purificatory acts; the verse frames devotion not as isolated sentiment but as expressed through disciplined, dharma-aligned worship and duties to ancestors.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: the verse points to correct performance of snāna, pūjā, and śrāddha, including sapiṇḍīkaraṇa—technical rites governed by śrauta/smārta ritual frameworks.